Secondary infections
A secondary infection is an infection that occurs during or after treatment of another pre-existing infection. It may result from the treatment itself or from changes in the immune system.
For example, a vaginal yeast infection that occurs after antibiotic treatment of a bacterial infection is a secondary infection. Bacterial pneumonia after a viral upper respiratory infection is another example.
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Review Date: 8/5/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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Copyright 2011 A.D.A.M., Inc.
Copyright 2011 A.D.A.M., Inc.
